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Welcome to Close Call Sports. CCS objectively tracks and analyzes close and controversial calls in sport, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game. Developed from The Left Field Corner: MLB Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (UEFL), whose purpose is to objectively track and analyze umpire ejections, video instant replay reviews and their corresponding calls, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

UEFL University - Video Rulebook - Strike

The following entry in the UEFL Video Rulebook pertains to the pitched ball designated as "Strike," one of three necessary for the batter to retire via a strike out.

During a batter's time at bat, the count reflects how many pitches of each type the batter has seen in the form of Ball-Strike; for instance, a 3-2 count corresponds to three balls and two strikes. Upon receiving his third strike, the batter completes his time at bat via the strike out. There are several ways for a "Strike" to be added to the count; click each image to view a video example of the indicated term:

The umpire may add an automatic strike to the count if the batter delays the game by refusing to timely take his position in the batter's box.

A pitch not swung at by the batter, but which travels through the strike zone, when caught by the catcher, shall be ruled a strike (looking).

A pitch swung at, but missed, by the batter shall be ruled a swinging strike. Similarly, a missed bunt attempt by the batter is also ruled a strike.

A batter's half swing which leaves ambiguity as to whether he intended to strike the pitch is a check swing. The umpire shall rule upon whether or not the batter intended to strike the pitch.Batter Intends to Strike Pitch: Strike.Batter Has No Such Intention: Ball.

A pitch which produces contact between bat and ball, where the ball becomes foul and is not a foul tip, results in a strike added to the count, unless there are already two strikes, in which case the count stays the same. NOTE: A foul bunt always results in an added strike.

A foul tip occurs when contact occurs between bat and ball, wherein the ball travels swiftly, directly, and immediately back into the catcher's glove, and is held onto (caught) by the catcher. The ball remains live and is treated as a swinging strike, with a strike added to the count.

When the batter receives his third strike (whether Automatic, Pitch Location, Swinging, Foul Bunt, or Foul Tip), he has completed his time at bat. When the pitch resulting in a third strike is caught by the catcher (without having touched the ground), the batter is out on strikes (Strikeout).

If the third strike does not arrive in the catcher's glove cleanly or has touched the ground or another object (whether via a dropped ball, bouncing pitch, or otherwise), the third strike is uncaught and the batter may attempt to run to first base (unless first base is occupied with less than two out).

When the third strike is uncaught, the catcher/defense must retire the batter as a runner, as the batter is now a runner since his time at bat is complete (unless first base is occupied with less than two out). The defense may tag the batter-runner, or first base ahead of the BR's arrival, for an out.